By Today, on Europe Day, the European Network is launching The European Calendar.
From Holocaust Remembrance Day to the fall of the Berlin Wall, from St Patrick’s Day to Europe Day, from Andorra’s National Day to Bonfire Night, The European Calendar is a collection of major cultural, political or historical dates across more than 50 European countries, entities or territories.
Beyond its obvious forward-looking uses, The European Calendar also provides a remarkable insight into Europe’s history. The grid of remembrance and celebration shows us history through today’s calendar. It also provides an insight into what we wish to remember or celebrate but leaves out that which we don’t.
The European Calendar points to stories of liberation, independence and democracy.
Nearly eighty years after the end of World War Two, the difference between Italy’s Festa della Liberazione on 25 April and Victory in Europe Day on 8 May still shows the slow capitulation and collapse of the Nazis and their allies over the course of two weeks.
The calendar shows the complexity of Kosovo with its two identities celebrating a different independence day. It marks the amicable divorce of Czechoslovakia with both Czechia and Slovakia now celebrating every 1st of January as good neighbours. It marks the celebration of national poets such as Robert Burns (Scotland, 25 January) and France Prešeren (Slovenia, 8 February).
Whether it’s “never again” or “more of this”, ultimately we remember because we wish to influence the future.
From now on you’ll see the next three events from across Europe on our front page. You can see more events or subscribe to the full calendar at our European Calender page.
Comments